I remembered when I booked my wedding photographer, she sent over her contract a few days in advance of us meeting which helped save some time since we do read over contracts that we sign. Is that something worth doing? Do you usually just present the contract when you meet and they want to book? What do you find works better for you?

I find walking through the contract in person better. I doubt many people would read two pages of stipulations, and I don't want to be getting email questions, when a simple in-person discussion clears all concerns on the spot. My agreement is written in plain English, and still, I find it far preferable to talk through it. It takes the stress out of it, and also encourages discussion about expectations and roles/responsibilities.

BTW, for the few instances where I've forwarded the contract prior to person-to-person meeting, I do it in PDF. Send the Word file and you open yourself to clients re-writing/editing your contract, which I really, really don't want.

I have found that sending a copy the night or two before a consultation is easier. In most cases, the consultation only carries the, "have you read the contract, and do you have any questions?" To which I get "yes, and no" 99% of the time. Doesn't get any faster than that really. I've never gotten an email back with questions about the contract. Those that have asked questions have always done it in person. And, usually the questions I get in person are very simple. (reiterations of deliverables)

I've never sent the contract prior to meeting. I go through the contract at the consult line by line, and field any questions they may have. I really don't like to do anything as formally business-y before I have a chance to build a rapport with the potential clients.

The contract talk usually happens near the end of the initial consult. After I've already decided if I want to book them or not.

Always go through it right before they pay the fee so I explain friendly the cold lines of a contract in a friendly way, if something not substantial or important has to be tuned I may do it, I used to send them by email and gave me a little problems from time to time as reading a contract may generate a buying-a-house feeling (if you know what I mean).

I've had several lawyers as clients. Not once have they insisted on seeing any contracts first. It's probably because it's not about the contract. They're already committed to me before a contract gets rolled out. So that paperwork acts as a memorializing of the agreement, along with stating my terms. And because I don't have oppressive or punitive or outrageous terms there's nothing a reasonable person who's committed to having me as their photographer to object to.